Product delivery methods and systems utilizing portable unmanned delivery aircraft
First Claim
1. A product delivery system, comprising:
- an unmanned delivery aircraft configured to carry at least a first package to be delivered to a package drop point corresponding to a location of a vehicle at a predefined drive-through station associated with a shopping facility, wherein the delivery aircraft comprises;
one or more cameras positioned to capture images of at least the drive-through station and the vehicle waiting at the drive-through station when the unmanned delivery aircraft is proximate to the drive-through station;
an image processor configured to process images captured by the one or more cameras and based on the processing of the images confirm a precise location of the package drop point as defined according to a determined current location and an orientation of the vehicle; and
a package release system that supports the first package and releases the first package at the package drop point relative to the current location and orientation of the vehicle while the delivery aircraft is positioned relative to the drop point and the vehicle.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some embodiments, provide systems, apparatuses and methods to deliver products using unmanned delivery aircraft. In some embodiments, product delivery system is provided, comprising: an unmanned delivery aircraft configured to deliver a package to a package drop point corresponding to a location of a vehicle at a predefined drive-through station, wherein the delivery aircraft comprises: one or more cameras; an image processor configured to process images captured by the one or more cameras and based on the processing of the images confirm a precise location of the package drop point as defined according to a determined current location and an orientation of the vehicle; and a crane system that supports the first package and lowers the first package to the package drop point relative to the current location and orientation of the vehicle while the delivery aircraft hovers above the vehicle by a threshold distance.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A product delivery system, comprising:
an unmanned delivery aircraft configured to carry at least a first package to be delivered to a package drop point corresponding to a location of a vehicle at a predefined drive-through station associated with a shopping facility, wherein the delivery aircraft comprises; one or more cameras positioned to capture images of at least the drive-through station and the vehicle waiting at the drive-through station when the unmanned delivery aircraft is proximate to the drive-through station; an image processor configured to process images captured by the one or more cameras and based on the processing of the images confirm a precise location of the package drop point as defined according to a determined current location and an orientation of the vehicle; and a package release system that supports the first package and releases the first package at the package drop point relative to the current location and orientation of the vehicle while the delivery aircraft is positioned relative to the drop point and the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 20)
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10. A method of delivering a product, comprising:
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receiving images of at least a predefined drive-through station and a vehicle waiting at the drive-through station from one or more cameras of an unmanned delivery aircraft that is configured to carry at least a first package to be delivered to a package drop point corresponding to a location of the vehicle at the drive-through station associated with a shopping facility; processing the images through an image processor of the delivery aircraft; confirming, based on the processing of the images, a precise location of the package drop point as defined according to a determined current location and an orientation of the vehicle; and controlling a package release system of the delivery aircraft to release the first package at the package drop point relative to the current location and orientation of the vehicle while the delivery aircraft is positioned relative to the drop point and the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification